Hotels Return to Sri Lanka

Back on the radar as a tourist destination, Sri Lanka is on the verge of a hotel building boom with both international hospitality groups and local players launching major projects. Here’s a quick look at what is underway:

Colombo

Shangri-La Colombo: The Hong Kong-based company recently broke ground for a 661-room tower near the storied seafront Galle Face Green in the capital. Expected to open 2015.

Sheraton Colombo: Starwood Hotels will make its debut with this 306-room hotel opposite Galle Face Green. Slated to open October 2013.

Mövenpick Colombo: The Swiss company’s entrée will be a 180-room downtown hotel. Target opening date is the middle of 2013.

Jetwing Colombo: Local hotel group Jetwing’s project will have 70 rooms and 28 serviced apartments. Opening April 2014.

The South

Shangri-La Hambantota: A 145-acre resort with 315 rooms in southern Hambantota district, with an 18-hole golf course, dive center, and CHI Spa. Scheduled to open in 2014.

Avani Kalutra: The second property under the new mid-market brand by Minor Hotel Group and local partner Serendib Leisure will be opened later this year. Located an hour south of Colombo, it will have 105 rooms.

Anantara Kalutara: A 138-room upscale resort with a spa, opening late 2013.

Soneva Ahungalla: Bangkok-based Six Senses’ founder Sonu Shivdasani is partnering with Sri Lanka’s Aitken Spence Hotels to create an exclusive 71-villa project, occupying 10½ acres of beachfront land and the 26-acre Meeraladuwa Island, just south of Bentota. Slated for early 2014.

Jetwing Yala Safari, Yala: The original luxury game lodge at one of the country’s best-known parks was destroyed in the 2004 tsunami. The new development will have 70 rooms and 28 villas and is expected to open in April 2013.

The East

Jetwing Reef, Uppuveli: This 68-room property, set to open December 2013, will be among the first high-end resorts to open in the region since the war ended.

Comments (5 of 7)

To AnwarM, please stop bashing Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is one of the most tolerant countries in religion that I have ever visited! I think you are likely islamphobic and need to get knowledgeable about the history and the co-existence of multi-religions and multi-ethnic groups in that country. Please also stop creating enthic conflicts between Sinhalese and Tamiles as they are all Sri Lankans in that island. You need to study the culture, history, religion(s) of Sri Lanka before making any subjective comments as such.

2:27 pm June 4, 2012

Do something wrote:

Well said Appu, my experience and background similar.

Talk is easy, staying away is even easier, getting in and making a difference is hard. Less talk, more involvement is what sri lanka needs for the good of all.

If you ever supported and side or cause in sri lanka in the past, now is the time to make a difference for the good of all.

I've made sacrifices and put my time and effort in. Ask yourself the question, have you?

2:02 pm June 3, 2012

mohan wrote:

is it a buddhist country. ask country leaders to study bhuddism

9:54 am June 3, 2012

Appu101 wrote:

AnwarM, I was born and raised in Galle and no where else. I also just returned from Sri Lanka 1 week ago, and Find your misconstrued arguments completely null and void. Are you from Galle? Come with me to explore Sri Lanka the way it is supposed to. I was in Kilinochchi, Paranthan, Elephant Pass, Mulaithivu, Muthuirrippukudi. Jaffna, Kaytz, Trinco, Seegiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Kandy and Kurunegala during the time of Vesak. I spent Sinhala/Tamil New Year at Galle......what and where did you get your info from? Have ypou visited Sri Lanka physically? Or did you do a virtual visit? I have a ton of Muslim, Tamil friends and I am married to a Bugher with a Tamil mix family. "Everything is yellow to the Jaundiced Eye" I feel this idiom describes you. Come my brother, I'll go with you and show you the country......what it is like today. I want to explore the south next like Hambantota. My experience including chats and conversations at length were very favorable as people are positive. Even those who had negative thoughts.....when reminded of other leaders and what they have done for the country, it was a no brainer. Where did the Muslim uprising take place exactly? What was the post conflict outcome in those? Talk to me Oh toothless one!

8:00 am June 3, 2012

AnwarM wrote:

The author should take note of religgious intolence in Sri Lanka and the protests in Galle against Muslims in that country.

After Tamil insurgency, the mobs frpom the majority community turning its wrath on other minorities.

Vigilance is required for guests in places like Dambulla, Anuradhapura .etc.